Colors of Aachen - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Many people call Aachen the city of students. The reason for this is in the fact that the local technical university attracts young people from different countries. There are always many people on the streets of the city – students hasten to their classes, relax in outdoor cafes and study lectures in shadowy parks. Due to such large number of visitors travelers always feel like home in Aachen. The locals are very friendly and have surely accustomed to curious visitors who ask to make a photo of them in front of beautiful buildings, or try to find the way to one of museums of the city. The number of business travelers arriving in the city is also huge, because in addition to the well-known institute in Aachen are located important engineering offices and technology centers. If you meet a large company of people in sleek business suits during your walk, do not be surprised – it’s just another delegation that has arrived at one of the local factories.

Horse remains the principal symbol of the city for many years. The reason for this is in the fast that the Aachen’s hippodrome is a regular venue for international competitions. Horse races here are held annually in late summer. The largest event here was held in 2006, when sportsmen from different parts of the world and tens of thousands of fans of equestrian sport arrived in Aachen. If you make a walk around the city, you will see most unusual monuments depicting horses. The monuments are made of stone, bronze, and even straw. The interior of many restaurants and cafes is also decorated with pictures and wall paintings depicting graceful horses.

The city has another important symbol - healing hot springs. These springs have once brought glory and fame to a humble settlement. After the discovery of hot springs Charles the Great decided to make Aachen his main residence. Today the site of the healing springs found in the early Middle Ages is the location of a large spa complex named Carolus Thermen. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

For many years, the horse remains the main symbol of Aachen. The thing is that Aachen's racetrack has become a permanent venue for international horse competitions. Various races and tournaments traditionally take place every year at the end of the summer. One of the most spectacular and important events - is the CHIO AACHEN, an exceptional equestrian performance for fans and the treasured dream of the riders. This sports festival gathers only the elite and professional equestrians and riders from all over the world. The program includes contests, dressage, driving, and triathlon. Usual tourists and, visitors can have fun here as well, as far as Aachen tournament is not only a sporting event. In parallel, there are seminars for judges, various shows: broods and competitions.

The comparatively small Aachen can boast with an amazingly rich history. Today Aachen is known as a major university center and a venue for one of Germany's brightest holidays. The Aachen Carnival will fill the historical center of the city with colorful columns of clowns, musicians, witches, and grenadiers. A cheerful whirlpool of various-caliber cultural events begins with the ceremony of selecting the "Prince of Fools" - the symbolic master of the carnival and the whole city. The peak of the holiday is the Zag street procession, in which all the local people, as well as tourists, can participate. On the central avenues of Aachen, blocked from transport, you can enjoy an incredible parade of mummers. It is accompanied by satirical platforms with huge dolls and marching brass bands.

Aachen becomes very attractive for tourists during the preparation for Christmas. It is believed that Christmas fairs in this city are the most beautiful in Germany. Every year the squares and streets around the Aachen cathedral, which became the first object of UNESCO's world cultural heritage in Germany, turn into a festive paradise filled with the sounds of Christmas melodies, the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread. Everyone can enjoy a huge Christmas tree, installed in the middle of the Town Hall Square. On the fair, you will see numerous counters selling absolutely unnecessary things in everyday life, but so necessary for Christmas, and therefore so dear to the heart. By the way, the Christmas market in Aachen is well-known far outside the city and each year attracts up to 1.5 million visitors.